Kellene Bishop describes the great features of a FoodSaver appliance.
http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/foodsaver-saves-the-day/
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Solar Oven Cooking by Wendy Dewitt
(The Walton Feed order is due by Sunday. I'll be attending a different ward's sacrament meeting but I will be at our Sunday School and Relief Society, give it to me in an envelope. Remember to look at your email to see who to make the check out to- it is Aimee S. but I won't put her last name here.)
My next purchase is going to be a solar oven. She has convinced me that I need one.
Video #7- Solar Oven Cooking
http://www.danielsparkward.com/fsv7.aspx
(Wendy Dewitt has a blog, and on her Nov. 12, 2008 blog post she gives basically her whole presentation.
http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html .)
My next purchase is going to be a solar oven. She has convinced me that I need one.
Video #7- Solar Oven Cooking
http://www.danielsparkward.com/fsv7.aspx
(Wendy Dewitt has a blog, and on her Nov. 12, 2008 blog post she gives basically her whole presentation.
http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html .)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Chart for Using Powdered Milk, Powdered Eggs
If you don't want to drink powdered milk, or eat powdered eggs, what can you do with these products?
They are fabulous to use in baked goods. And you don't have to reconstitute them first to use them.
I just found a chart you can print out, which tells exactly how much of the dry ingredients to add with your dry ingredients, and then how much water to add with the wet ingredients. Print this out and post it inside your cabinet door, or on the outside of your powdered eggs or powdered milk cans.
http://allaboutfoodstorage.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Milk-and-Egg-conversion-charts.pdf
They are fabulous to use in baked goods. And you don't have to reconstitute them first to use them.
I just found a chart you can print out, which tells exactly how much of the dry ingredients to add with your dry ingredients, and then how much water to add with the wet ingredients. Print this out and post it inside your cabinet door, or on the outside of your powdered eggs or powdered milk cans.
http://allaboutfoodstorage.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Milk-and-Egg-conversion-charts.pdf
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Family Home Storage Center Price List
Disclaimer: I have never been to the Greensboro "cannery". Come to find out, its real name is the Family Home Storage Center. I need to find out a bunch more about it, but here is the price list. Please compare this price list with the Walton Feed price list before you order. (The Walton Feed order is due by Sunday Aug. 22 to me. )
http://providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/122384_Jan2010WE_HomeStoragePriceSheet_US_71140_000_pdf.pdf
http://providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/122384_Jan2010WE_HomeStoragePriceSheet_US_71140_000_pdf.pdf
Basics of Food Storage- BYU TV Living Essentials
(Remember, the Walton Feed order is due by this Sunday, Aug. 22.)
There is a program called "Living Essentials" on BYU-TV that has good episodes about food storage. The BYU-TV website says these are not scheduled to be rebroadcast anytime soon, but here is the transcript for "Basics of Food Storage". It is a very good description of what should be included in your food storage.
http://www.byutv.org/livingessentials/files/127Trans.pdf
There is a program called "Living Essentials" on BYU-TV that has good episodes about food storage. The BYU-TV website says these are not scheduled to be rebroadcast anytime soon, but here is the transcript for "Basics of Food Storage". It is a very good description of what should be included in your food storage.
http://www.byutv.org/livingessentials/files/127Trans.pdf
Monday, August 16, 2010
Got Powdered Milk?
The Walton Feed Order is due to me by Sunday Aug. 22, and I am sure all of you are still wondering what to order.
I just read this great post on FoodStorageMadeEasy describing why we need to store powdered milk. And, since most of us hate to drink powdered milk, it was handy that the authors included the results of a powdered milk taste test, and gave the winners.
The best tasting instant powdered milk is:
Provident Pantry brand sold at Emergency Essentials.
and the best tasting Non-instant powdered milk is:
Rainy Day brand sold by Walton Feed.
So, you need to do your homework and decide if you need instant or non-instant. Read the blog post and find out more.
http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2010/04/26/lets-talk-about-powdered-milk/
And here is a great document all about the benefits and uses of powdered milk, produced by the Washington State Dairy Board.
https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/apps/Food/MiscFiles/Nonfat%20Powder%20Milk%20Recipes.pdf
P.S. I have used powdered milk every time it calls for milk in every baking recipe or every casserole I have made for years. I don't drink it, but it gets rotated. And I am glad I have it, just in case.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Pressure Canning Meat by Wendy Dewitt
This was one of the most interesting videos by Wendy Dewitt. She explains how easy, simple, and cost-effective it is to use a pressure cooker for canning meat. She is so persuasive that I really plan on buying a big pressure cooker soon. I really think I could do this!
She said that she bottled 150 pounds of chicken in 12 hours in one crazy marathon day. But she said you can easily do 50 pounds in one day.
She buys used pressure canners on ebay.
Video #6
http://www.danielsparkward.com/fsv6.aspx
(Wendy Dewitt has a blog, and on her Nov. 12, 2008 blog post she gives basically her whole presentation.
http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html .)
She said that she bottled 150 pounds of chicken in 12 hours in one crazy marathon day. But she said you can easily do 50 pounds in one day.
She buys used pressure canners on ebay.
Video #6
http://www.danielsparkward.com/fsv6.aspx
(Wendy Dewitt has a blog, and on her Nov. 12, 2008 blog post she gives basically her whole presentation.
http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html .)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
When Disaster Strikes- Ensign Jan. 1982
When I find good talks about Emergency Preparedness in the Ensign I am going to share them here.
Marvin K. Gardner, “When Disaster Strikes: Latter-day Saints Talk about Preparedness,” Ensign, Jan 1982, 67
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=c07eaeca0ea6b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Here are some more good tips from the article:
Marvin K. Gardner, “When Disaster Strikes: Latter-day Saints Talk about Preparedness,” Ensign, Jan 1982, 67
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=c07eaeca0ea6b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Paul and Jean Kreiner of Sylmar, California, were glad they had a year’s supply when the earthquake hit. While others were standing in line for two or three hours every day to buy food and necessities, “I didn’t go to a store for a month,” Jean says.
Their biggest problem was water shortage—all their water containers broke in the earthquake. (They’ve since discovered that cans and bottles packed in cardboard boxes with cardboard dividers suffer little damage if not stacked too high.) “I was really glad for all the plastic utensils and paper cups and plates we had on hand because most of our dishes were broken and we didn’t want to waste water washing the ones that were left.”
The Kreiners learned other storage tips from the earthquake: (1) Store supplies in various locations in the house so if one part is damaged you still have something left. (2) Have some food available that doesn’t have to be cooked, and a variety of other foods—dehydrated, frozen, and canned. (3) Keep on hand a supply of medicines your family uses regularly, and some consecrated oil. If you wear glasses, have a spare pair, well-packed to prevent breakage.
Here are some more good tips from the article:
But what if you have faithfully stored a year’s supply and it’s washed away in a flood or carried away by a tornado or burned up in a fire?
“I found that the mental security of having a year’s food and fuel supply was even more important than the physical security,” says Ruth V. Tingey of Lincoln, Massachusetts. “If our year’s supply had been destroyed, then, having been prepared and having helped others to have their supply of food, I would have felt free to ask for their support, and they would have given it without bitterness. When the Lord promises that if we are prepared we shall not fear (see D&C 38:30), I think he means regardless.”
LDS families feel that by following the counsel to be prepared they are witnessing to the Lord that they are obedient and that they have faith in his promises. And many, unable to use their own storage, still receive the benefits of a year’s supply—that of friends and family who come to their rescue.
The experience of the Teton flood impressed many Saints with the need to have something in addition to a year’s supply: a portable emergency supply that’s ready to be thrown into the car at a moment’s notice. It should contain enough water, clothing, equipment, and ready-to-eat food for the family to survive on for seventy-two hours. Cash and important documents should also be handy. (See lists in Essentials of Home Production and Storage, pp. 7, 11.)
The car should always be in good repair and the tank at least half-filled with gas. And it’s a good idea to have an evacuation plan already decided upon as a family so you’ll know where to meet if family members are away from home when asked to evacuate.
Friday, August 13, 2010
"Power Out Night"
Nickey H., a member of our ward, told me about “Power Out Night” at their house.
The kids love it, they ask “When is the next Power Out Night?.”
Nickey explained it this way:
“I try not to do anything ahead of time, that way it is a test for my husband and I as well as for the kids. I’ll just say okay, and turn off all the lights and the air conditioner. Then we all have to try to find the candles, and try to go until the next morning without electricity. We’ve probably done it five times at least. “
What has been their biggest failure?
“I want it to be like a real emergency, so I don’t test things ahead of time . One time I got everything out for dinner, my husband went outside to grill it and our propane tank was empty. I think we ended up having cold sandwiches and Danimals yogurt drink.”
What went well?
“We spent the whole night playing games by candle light. Then we all camped out in living room, it was summer, so downstairs was the coolest part of the house.”
When we did it in the winter, we had a fireplace, and roasted hot dogs in the fireplace.”
What have you learned that you can share with us?
“Once our flashlight exploded. The batteries had all gone bad inside it. We learned not to leave batteries inside the flashlights, now we tape a ziploc bag containing batteries to the outside of each flashlight.”
“We also learned to let the kids play outside until it is truly dark, because they need to get their wiggles out, and they won’t be able to run around inside the house later, its too dark. We had to teach them not to run in the dark house, you can’t see where you’re going.”
“We had to review candle safety, because we had to leave a candle burning in the bathroom overnight. Now we wouldn’t use a candle, we would put a glowstick in there.”
“Also, I try to check the weather first, I make sure its not going to be an incredibly hot day so we don’t suffer too much with the air conditioner off.”
The kids love it, they ask “When is the next Power Out Night?.”
Nickey explained it this way:
“I try not to do anything ahead of time, that way it is a test for my husband and I as well as for the kids. I’ll just say okay, and turn off all the lights and the air conditioner. Then we all have to try to find the candles, and try to go until the next morning without electricity. We’ve probably done it five times at least. “
What has been their biggest failure?
“I want it to be like a real emergency, so I don’t test things ahead of time . One time I got everything out for dinner, my husband went outside to grill it and our propane tank was empty. I think we ended up having cold sandwiches and Danimals yogurt drink.”
What went well?
“We spent the whole night playing games by candle light. Then we all camped out in living room, it was summer, so downstairs was the coolest part of the house.”
When we did it in the winter, we had a fireplace, and roasted hot dogs in the fireplace.”
What have you learned that you can share with us?
“Once our flashlight exploded. The batteries had all gone bad inside it. We learned not to leave batteries inside the flashlights, now we tape a ziploc bag containing batteries to the outside of each flashlight.”
“We also learned to let the kids play outside until it is truly dark, because they need to get their wiggles out, and they won’t be able to run around inside the house later, its too dark. We had to teach them not to run in the dark house, you can’t see where you’re going.”
“We had to review candle safety, because we had to leave a candle burning in the bathroom overnight. Now we wouldn’t use a candle, we would put a glowstick in there.”
“Also, I try to check the weather first, I make sure its not going to be an incredibly hot day so we don’t suffer too much with the air conditioner off.”
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Where to Store it all by Wendy Dewitt
Wendy Dewitt teaches about food storage, and how to rotate your food.
Video #5- Where to Store It All
http://www.danielsparkward.com/fsv5.aspx
(Wendy Dewitt has a blog, and on her Nov. 12, 2008 blog post she gives basically her whole presentation.
http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html .)
Video #5- Where to Store It All
http://www.danielsparkward.com/fsv5.aspx
(Wendy Dewitt has a blog, and on her Nov. 12, 2008 blog post she gives basically her whole presentation.
http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html .)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Wendy Dewitt's Equivalency Page
In Video #4, Wendy Dewitt explains that when you have a recipe, and you multiply it for 52 weeks, you will have an amount such as 800 teaspoons of salt that you need to buy. You can go to the equivalency page, and find out that a 26 oz. container of salt contains 117 teaspoons. Or that there are 32 Tablespoons of baking powder in a pound.
Video #4- Short
http://www.danielsparkward.com/fsv4.aspx
Video #4- Short
http://www.danielsparkward.com/fsv4.aspx
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Recommendations, Price Comparisons
The Walton Feed order for our stake is due to me by August 22. (see blog post of 7-27-2010). You are probably wondering what to buy from that, or whether to buy anything at all.
I will give you my best advice, but please study all these price lists yourself to make your decisions.
There are three places from which I have purchased food storage and emergency supplies.
Emergency Essentials is a mail order catalog and website which has dehydrated food, water barrels, solar radios, emergency blankets, all sorts of things besides food. They have a monthly group special, for example for August they have a cheaper price for freeze-dried cheddar cheese, but at least 6 cans must be ordered to get that price. I have purchased many items and many different types of food from them over the years. I think their group specials are sometimes a very good deal. Group orders qualify for free shipping. When you do a personal order, they charge shipping.
(I would like to offer the group orders every month in our ward. If someone wants dehydrated chedder cheese, call me or email me, we'll see if we get 6 orders.)
I do not recommend buying Emergency Essentials' buckets and #10 cans (the big coffee-can size cans) of dehydrated and freeze-dried foods, because the church leaders seem to be getting away from that type of food storage. I think we are being steered toward buying smaller containers of items we actually eat, so most times we can get those types of food items at the grocery store or at Sam's.
Also, personally I am not buying buckets of wheat, rice, etc. any more, because they are so big. It is easier to find places to store the #10 cans. (However, notice that a 50 lb. bag of wheat from Walton Feed is only $18.40, that seems to be the very cheapest way to buy wheat. But then you'll have to can it or store it somehow, it will get bugs in it if you don't.)
I also don't recommend Emergency Essentials' 72-hour kits (I think you can make better ones yourself) or their "One Year of Food Storage for One Person" (it costs a whole lot and its nothing I would eat.) I also don't think you should buy a year's supply of MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). Those are super expensive and very pre-prepared. I would rather cook my own stuff using basic ingredients.
Walton Feed: This is a grain company which specializes in large quantity shipments at a good price. They ship to many LDS stakes up and down the east coast, plus probably lots of other people too. In many things I checked yesterday, their prices for bulk food were all cheaper than Emergency Essentials (but of course I didn't check every item on the list.)
LDS Church Distribution Services: For some reason, the Church is the best place to buy wheat, pinto beans, rolled oats, and white rice right now. I don't know how they can sell it at these prices. In the Church's Family Resources catalog, 2010 edition, the prices for #10 cans of wheat, pinto beans, rolled oats, and white rice were all much cheaper than Emergency Essentials, and all a little cheaper than what you can order from Walton Feed. And shipping is FREE.
Here are the price comparisons for those four items (I used the prices from the 2010 Family Resources catalog that came with my Ensign a few months ago, the website might have updated their prices.) :
#10 can of Hard Red Wheat:
LDS: $4.37 a can (must buy case of 6)
Walton $4.20 a can
Emergency Essentials $7.50 a can
(Note: Yes, Walton is cheaper. BUT IF you're only ordering cans of wheat, the LDS Distribution will ship it to your house with free shipping. The Walton Feed order also has free shipping, but you have to meet the truck on the specified day and help unload the truck.)
#10 can of Rolled Oats
LDS: $3.41 a can (must buy case of 6)
Walton: $5.70 a can
Emergency Essentials: $5.49 a can
#10 can of Pinto Beans
LDS: $6.25 a can (must buy a case of 6)
Walton: $8.50 a can
Emergency Essentials: $10.95 a can
#10 can of White Rice
LDS: $5.33 a can (must buy a case of 6)
Walton: $7.60 a can
Emergency Essentials: $8.95 a can.
The LDS Distribution also sells starter cases for $29.75 which include 2 cans wheat, 2 cans rice, 1 can pinto beans, and 1 can rolled oats.
I will be ordering these 4 items for my family on my own through LDS Distribution, and you can too. Those are the only food items sold through LDS Distribution.
You may wonder if you should just go to the cannery and can these foods yourself. I would rather just buy them pre-canned. The LDS Distribution price is so excellent, just buy them. Here's how to order from the LDS Distribution Center: visit ldscatalog.com or call 1-800-537-5971.
(CORRECTION ADDED AUG. 17: I may have misspoken. Check out the "cannery" prices at the Family Home Storage Center http://providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/122384_Jan2010WE_HomeStoragePriceSheet_US_71140_000_pdf.pdf
The prices seem to be better than I expected.)
I will be ordering other things for my family from Walton Feed. I get my alfalfa sprouting seeds from Walton, and powdered whole eggs (#10 can for $18.10). Those are just 40 cents cheaper than at Emergency Essentials, but shipping is free with Walton so it is still worth it.
I also noticed that the 55 gallon water barrels are much cheaper through Walton Feed ($57.60 at Walton, $74.95 at Emergency Essentials), and the 15 gallon water barrels are cheaper at Walton too ($32.30 at Walton, $44.95 at Emergency Essentials.)
ALSO, DID YOU KNOW THERE IS A WHEAT SHORTAGE?
I read this on CNBC on Aug. 5, 2010-
http://www.cnbc.com/id/38577000
Kellene Bishop did a whole article about the shortage of wheat in other nations besides Russia.
http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/did-i-mention-that-a-wheat-shortage-is-imminent/
This is definitely something to think about. I'm buying some more wheat.
I will give you my best advice, but please study all these price lists yourself to make your decisions.
There are three places from which I have purchased food storage and emergency supplies.
Emergency Essentials is a mail order catalog and website which has dehydrated food, water barrels, solar radios, emergency blankets, all sorts of things besides food. They have a monthly group special, for example for August they have a cheaper price for freeze-dried cheddar cheese, but at least 6 cans must be ordered to get that price. I have purchased many items and many different types of food from them over the years. I think their group specials are sometimes a very good deal. Group orders qualify for free shipping. When you do a personal order, they charge shipping.
(I would like to offer the group orders every month in our ward. If someone wants dehydrated chedder cheese, call me or email me, we'll see if we get 6 orders.)
I do not recommend buying Emergency Essentials' buckets and #10 cans (the big coffee-can size cans) of dehydrated and freeze-dried foods, because the church leaders seem to be getting away from that type of food storage. I think we are being steered toward buying smaller containers of items we actually eat, so most times we can get those types of food items at the grocery store or at Sam's.
Also, personally I am not buying buckets of wheat, rice, etc. any more, because they are so big. It is easier to find places to store the #10 cans. (However, notice that a 50 lb. bag of wheat from Walton Feed is only $18.40, that seems to be the very cheapest way to buy wheat. But then you'll have to can it or store it somehow, it will get bugs in it if you don't.)
I also don't recommend Emergency Essentials' 72-hour kits (I think you can make better ones yourself) or their "One Year of Food Storage for One Person" (it costs a whole lot and its nothing I would eat.) I also don't think you should buy a year's supply of MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). Those are super expensive and very pre-prepared. I would rather cook my own stuff using basic ingredients.
Walton Feed: This is a grain company which specializes in large quantity shipments at a good price. They ship to many LDS stakes up and down the east coast, plus probably lots of other people too. In many things I checked yesterday, their prices for bulk food were all cheaper than Emergency Essentials (but of course I didn't check every item on the list.)
LDS Church Distribution Services: For some reason, the Church is the best place to buy wheat, pinto beans, rolled oats, and white rice right now. I don't know how they can sell it at these prices. In the Church's Family Resources catalog, 2010 edition, the prices for #10 cans of wheat, pinto beans, rolled oats, and white rice were all much cheaper than Emergency Essentials, and all a little cheaper than what you can order from Walton Feed. And shipping is FREE.
Here are the price comparisons for those four items (I used the prices from the 2010 Family Resources catalog that came with my Ensign a few months ago, the website might have updated their prices.) :
#10 can of Hard Red Wheat:
LDS: $4.37 a can (must buy case of 6)
Walton $4.20 a can
Emergency Essentials $7.50 a can
(Note: Yes, Walton is cheaper. BUT IF you're only ordering cans of wheat, the LDS Distribution will ship it to your house with free shipping. The Walton Feed order also has free shipping, but you have to meet the truck on the specified day and help unload the truck.)
#10 can of Rolled Oats
LDS: $3.41 a can (must buy case of 6)
Walton: $5.70 a can
Emergency Essentials: $5.49 a can
#10 can of Pinto Beans
LDS: $6.25 a can (must buy a case of 6)
Walton: $8.50 a can
Emergency Essentials: $10.95 a can
#10 can of White Rice
LDS: $5.33 a can (must buy a case of 6)
Walton: $7.60 a can
Emergency Essentials: $8.95 a can.
The LDS Distribution also sells starter cases for $29.75 which include 2 cans wheat, 2 cans rice, 1 can pinto beans, and 1 can rolled oats.
I will be ordering these 4 items for my family on my own through LDS Distribution, and you can too. Those are the only food items sold through LDS Distribution.
You may wonder if you should just go to the cannery and can these foods yourself. I would rather just buy them pre-canned. The LDS Distribution price is so excellent, just buy them. Here's how to order from the LDS Distribution Center: visit ldscatalog.com or call 1-800-537-5971.
(CORRECTION ADDED AUG. 17: I may have misspoken. Check out the "cannery" prices at the Family Home Storage Center http://providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/122384_Jan2010WE_HomeStoragePriceSheet_US_71140_000_pdf.pdf
The prices seem to be better than I expected.)
I will be ordering other things for my family from Walton Feed. I get my alfalfa sprouting seeds from Walton, and powdered whole eggs (#10 can for $18.10). Those are just 40 cents cheaper than at Emergency Essentials, but shipping is free with Walton so it is still worth it.
I also noticed that the 55 gallon water barrels are much cheaper through Walton Feed ($57.60 at Walton, $74.95 at Emergency Essentials), and the 15 gallon water barrels are cheaper at Walton too ($32.30 at Walton, $44.95 at Emergency Essentials.)
ALSO, DID YOU KNOW THERE IS A WHEAT SHORTAGE?
I read this on CNBC on Aug. 5, 2010-
"On Tuesday investors were attempting to gauge the future of food prices, after Russia said it would temporarily halt grain exports.
Russia's worst drought on record has devastated crops in parts of the country and sent international grain prices soaring as markets have speculated on restricted supply from one of the world's leading exporters.....
On the news wheat markets immediately jumped to nearly two year highs."
http://www.cnbc.com/id/38577000
Kellene Bishop did a whole article about the shortage of wheat in other nations besides Russia.
http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/did-i-mention-that-a-wheat-shortage-is-imminent/
This is definitely something to think about. I'm buying some more wheat.
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